A NEW PENTECOST!

This is a sample of a video put out in 2006 by the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) as a look at the history of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal after 40 years. It includes statements by Pope John Paul in support of the Renewal.

On 11 December 1979 Pope John Paul met in a private audience with the ICCRO Council (now ICCRS). He siad: "I am convinced that this movement is a sign of His action (of the Spirit). The world is much in need of this action of the Holy Spirit, and it needs many instruments for this action. [...] Now I see this movement, this activity everywhere."

Pope Paul VI addressed those attending the Second International Leaders' Conference in Rome on 19 May 1975. Part of what he said was: "How then could this "spiritual renewal" not be "a chance" for the church and for the world? And how, in this case, could one not take all the means to ensure that it remains so? [...] Nothing is more necessary for such a world, more and more secularized, than the testimony of this "spiritual renewal", which we see the Holy Spirit bring about today in the most diverse regions and environments."

In May of 2008 the Italian Catholic Charismatic Renewal (Rinnovamento nello Spirito) met near Rimini, Italy. Papa Benedetto sent a letter to them through Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone In it he said:"His Holiness praises and encourages the commitment with which the Charismatic Renewal makes its own and carries forward the effort to promote communion and collaboration among the diverse realities that the same Spirit has brought about in the Church."

The letter also stated that Papa Benedetto "always follows the journey of the ecclesial movements with special pastoral solicitude". He also exhorted the members of the Charismatic Renewal always to "unite with prayer their effective attention to the world's needs and the good of men." (Source: Members Gather in Rimini for Annual Meeting)

I know there are those who think the Charismatic Renewal isn't Catholic. It is. & it is fully recognized by the Catholic Church. Yes, some people have given into excesses. But then this also has been true of every authentic renewal movement throughout the history of the Church,. That didn't make them any less authentic, nor does this make the Charismatic Renewal any less authentic.